Uprisings in France encourage peasants in the neighbouring principality of Montuga to lay siege to King Julien Garibaldi's palace. King Julien has five hundred armed royal guards at his disposal, but using them to end the siege risks retaliation by the Republicans if the latter prevail in France. Can the Garibaldis save their kingdom?The Marquis de Artois and his son are two of many French nobles attempting to flee to Montuga to escape public execution on the dreaded guillotine. To reach the Montugan border post, high up in the Montugan Alps, they have to traverse a narrow mountain path - the Devil's Orifice. But before reaching foot of the path, they learn that King Julien has ordered the closure of the mountain border post - apparently in order to avoid antagonizing the French Republicans. In terms of the Treaty which Montuga, concluded with the French King, Montuga may not grant sanctuary to any enemies of France. Uncertain as to whether the Republicans or King Louis XVI will emerge victorious in France, Montuga has to play its cards carefully. With their French Republican pursuers hot on their heels, the pass is the De Artois's only avenue of escape